The ever-so-bike-able Jersey City is open for your enjoyment. If you don’t want to bring your bike on the PATH train, you can easily rent some wheels at Grove Street Bicycles. You’ll want to get there early if it’s a perfect sunny day; rentals are first-come-first-serve.
Before you pick up your bike, pack a picnic. Pop into Park & Sixth (closed) for one of their signature sandwiches.
A Historic Route
Cruise over to Hamilton Park via Jersey Avenue, admiring the old brick row houses along the way. Ride a few blocks southeast and immerse yourself in the post-industrial conversion of the Powerhouse District. Grab a coffee at the Warehouse Café (closed) and check out the latest art display. If you’re in the mood to shop, D.E.E.N. boutique is right next door. Liberty State Park should be next on your agenda, but get closer to the Powerhouse District’s namesake before moving on. The beaux art beauty is currently being renovated; the yellow, orange and blue plates covering the windows only add to its allure.
The Road to Liberty State Park
Cruise down Grove Street all the way to Grand. Turn right, then left at Jersey Ave. You are now entering Liberty Harbor, the northern edge of the sprawling Liberty State Park. Ride into the park, past the old Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, and along the harbor where you’ll experience prime views of NYC, Ellis Island and Ms. Liberty herself. The southern-most end of the park contains a nature reserve and is definitely worth exploring. You can set up your picnic here or at any of the many picnic areas scattered throughout the park.
Post-Ride Exploring
After you return your wheels to their appropriate owner, walk around the Grove Street area. Tia’s Place carries a gorgeous selection of ladies attire and Kannibal Home on Montgomery is the place to find that odd “found object” that you somehow didn’t know you needed.
Hungry again? Walk to Paulus Hook for dinner at Satis, one of the city’s newest (and best) restaurants. The ricotta gnocchi is pure creamy goodness. Satis is BYOB at the moment, but Liberty Wine and Deli is across the street and will easily satisfy your oenological needs. For classic French cuisine, walk up Newark Avenue to the charmingly rustic. Try les moules frites or one of their savory crepes. They are also a BYOB establishment, so be sure to pick up a bottle of wine along the way.
How to get to Jersey City
Grove Street Bicycles is located two blocks north of the Grove Street Path Station between First Street and Bay Street. Bikes are permitted on the Path Train, except from 3pm-6:30pm weekdays; no restrictions on weekends. Folding bikes are allowed at all times. For more details, visit panyny.gov.
Photo: Courtesy of Easy Riders, Author, Satis
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Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram